CJPC Announces Camera Grand Prix Winners

Camera Grand Prix is held by Camera Journal Press Club (CJPC, Japan), a group of representatives from magazines or websites specializing in photos and cameras. CJPC, established in September 1963, has 10 members from the media as of April 2017. The selection committee, organized under the auspices of CJPC’s Camera Grand Prix Executive Committee, deliberates and selects the best products to give the four awards from among those introduced into the market during the previous fiscal year (from April 1 to March 31).

Camera Grand Prix “Camera of the Year” is granted to a still camera recognised as the best of all released during the period. “Lens of the Year” is awarded to the best lens launched in the Japanese market, while “Readers Award” is determined by general camera users’ vote on a dedicated website. (The voting period in 2017 was from March 18 to April 9.) In addition, CJPC members give “Editors Award” to a camera or another form of photography-related product, excluding the one awarded “Camera of the Year”, in consideration for the product’s popularity, topicality, and innovativeness.

Camera of The Year

OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Reasons for choiceAs three years passed since OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1, a Camera Grand Prix 2014 Editors Award winner, was first launched in 2013, this new flagship model OM-D E-M1 Mark II has marked another development and further expanded the concept of the mirrorless camera. It shows us an exciting future vision. Its sequential shooting performance exceeds that of single-lens reflex cameras, with the maximum fps at 18 in continuous AF/AE tracking and even 60 fps in single AF/AE on the silent sequential shooting mode. Its autofocus performance is such that you can readily capture even fast-moving subjects. It is amazing that its 5-axis in-body image stabilization system provides up to 6.5 shutter speed steps when paired with a compatible lens. The image quality and credibility are great enough for professionals and amateurs alike, with its good portability allowing them to use it quite casually. As the dust-proof and splash-proof body gives a comfortable grip, you can use it for a wide variety of photo opportunities.

In recognition of these features, we have selected OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark II for Camera Grand Prix 2017 Camera of the Year.